Why should I see an acupuncturist? Acupuncture is a safe and effective method to address imbalances and restore health. It is a great addition to western medicine and can help heal the body and reduce the need for prescription medication or surgery. Acupuncture is also a comprehensive medicine that is able to treat the whole body, including symptoms from mental health, to digestive issues, to pain management and everything in-between.

Is acupuncture effective?Injury, traumatic events, poor diet, major or chronic infections, and life style choices can all lead to an imbalance in the body causing disease. Acupuncture works to restore the normal functioning of the body. For you to be healthy all of the organ systems need to function well and work together to nourish the body. By using acupuncture points on the meridians of the body, we can restore organ function and return heath and vitality.

How many sessions will it take? What results can I expect? While results vary from person to person there are a couple of trends that apply. First, the more recent the onset of the condition the quicker results are usually achieved. Second, results may be limited if the cause of the illness is still present i.e. stress from work, poor diet, etc. That being said, there should be noticeable changes in 1-4 visits which will inform how many sessions will be needed.

What does a treatment consist of? A treatment starts with an interview discussion between the patient and acupuncturist about the concerns/conditions of the patient. This usually lasts 10-15 minutes (expect longer on the first visit). Then points are selected for the treatment and the needles are inserted. After they have been inserted the patient rests with the needles in for 20-30 minutes to let the treatment take effect. Then the needles are withdrawn and any accessory techniques are performed as needed for the condition.

How should I prepare for a treatment? Before the first session there is paper work that needs to be filled out. You can download it from our website and bring it completed or come 10-15 minutes early to have time to fill it out at the office. If you are on any medications it would be useful to bring a list. Also bring any recent test results related to your condition if applicable. Otherwise wear comfortable clothes, sit back, relax and enjoy this time for yourself.

Does it hurt? No, acupuncture should not hurt. Often, there is no sensation at all when the needles are inserted into the body. Other sensations may occur after insertion, however. These include, but are not limited to, warmth, tingling, achiness, sensations of movement, or a sensation of fullness. These are all signs of the body responding to the treatment. Sensations are not needed for the point to be active or to experience results.

Are there side-effects? The most common side-effects are minor itching, bleeding, or bruising at the site of the insertion. If the point bleeds after the needle is removed, it is usually a small drop. Rarely, a reaction called needle sickness occurs. This is characterized by a drop in blood pressure and blood sugar. The symptoms experienced are dizziness/lightheadedness, trembling, nausea or vomiting. Symptoms usually last 5 to 10 minutes and are easy to treat by elevating the feet and having a snack to bring up blood sugar. Having acupuncture on an empty stomach may increase the risk of needle sickness.

What is Qi (pronounced chi)? Qi has many meanings in Chinese language. The most applicable meaning for Chinese Medicine is vitality or function. When we talk about something being deficient of Qi, it means that its function is reduced from normal. Example: Stomach Qi deficiency means that the stomach cannot perform its function as well and so symptoms like indigestion, bloating, acid reflux, and nausea may appear.

What are the Meridians/channels? Meridians are not real pathways in the body. Meridians are a representational tool to help describe and understand the connections in the body. In general they follow the pathways of nerves and blood vessels or large muscle groups.

Do you take insurance? We currently accept HealthPartners insurance.

What forms of payment do you accept? We accept cash, check, Visa, Master Card and Discover, as well as health savings account (HSA) cards.

Please call 651-225-1600 with any other questions that you have. We would love to hear from you.